HARGEISA (SD) – The Somaliland government has announced plans to enhance the protection of freedom of speech, ensuring that individuals and journalists will not be arrested for expressing opinions that the government dislikes.

Following a recent pledge by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro to the media and civil society organizations, the Minister of Information, Ahmed Yasin Sheikh Ali Ayanle, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding freedom of expression.

“We guarantee that no one will be arrested for their opinions, as long as they do not break the law. No journalist should be detained for reporting factual news that is unpopular. We aim to be a nation guided by the rule of law while preserving freedoms,” said the minister.

Annual reports from American Freedom House have often ranked Somaliland among the top in protecting civil and political rights, at times surpassing Kenya and leading East Africa in this regard.

However, Somaliland’s progress in political and civil freedoms has been undermined by frequent arrests of journalists and individuals who express views critical of the government.

President Irro and his Waddani Party had pledged during the election campaign to strengthen the protection of these fundamental rights.